Dwight Howard Denies Asking For Stan Van Gundy To Be Fired

And in a world of anonymous sources and reports based on the whispers of “a person familiar with the thinking of people involved in discussions,” the source on this is pretty strong — Van Gundy himself, who confirmed the reports during a shootaround session before the Orlando Magic take on the New York Knicks on Thursday night.

According to Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel, Van Gundy said he was “told by people in our management” that Dwight had requested his firing. “Right from the top [of the organization].”

Hit the jump for more of Van Gundy’s remarks to reporters, thanks to the Sentinel’s Josh Robbins, plus more on this developing bombshell of a story.

From Robbins at the Sentinel:

“I know he has [asked that I be fired],” Van Gundy told reporters after the Magic completed their shootaround. “That’s just the way it is. Again, I’ve been dealing with that all year. It’s not anything real bothersome. You go out and do your job.” […]
Asked how he knows it’s true, Van Gundy said, “I was told it was true by people in our management right from the top.”

Things got even more awkward moments later, according to Howard Beck of the New York Times, when Howard ambled over to Van Gundy, leaned down and hugged him, not knowing that the coach had just told a gaggle of reporters that the All-Star center tried to have him fired. Howard reportedly immediately denied it, demanding reporters reveal their source, who was standing just a few feet away. Wow.

You need more people son, a LOT more people. You could have the entire cast of Cosby Show, Different World, AND The Color Purple and you’d still be short a few folks.